Wheel assembly method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bicycle wheel rim is placed on a fixture mounted on a rotary indexing transfer table, and a plurality of spokes are attached to a hub which is supported by the fixture in concentric relation with the rim. The table indexes, and the hub and attached spokes are shifted by the fixture to a rotatable spoke orienting head which grips and spins the hub causing the spokes to be centrifugally positioned in substantially uniform angularly spaced relation. The outwardly extending spinning spokes are picked up by corresponding magnets carried by the rotating orienting head, and an inner group of spokes are shifted into crossing relation with an outer group of spokes. The hub and crossed spokes are then transferred to the table fixture where the oriented spokes are positioned in outwardly converging relation aligned with corresponding holes formed in the rim. The table indexes again to move the fixtured hub, rim and angularly positioned crossed spokes to a device which simultaneously extends corresponding nut-like threaded fasteners or nipples through the holes in the rim and tightens the nipples onto the end portions of the spokes to a predetermined uniform torque. The table then indexes to transfer the assembled wheel to a discharge station where the wheel is ejected from the table fixture by pins which extend upwardly to press the rim upwardly from the fixture.

United States Patent Patterson Sept. 18, 1973 WHEEL ASSEMBLY METHOD ANDAPPARATUS Richard A. Patterson, St. Paul, Minn.

The Huffman Manufacturing Company, Miamisburg, Ohio Filed: Dec. 29, 1971Appl. No.: 213,342

lnventor:

Assignee:

29/159 R, 200 P, 200 R [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3/1933 Kranz et a1. 29/159.02 X 8/1933 Eksergian 29/l59.02 11/1933' Ash29/l59.02 8/1934 Tarbox 29/159.02 4/1970 Jaulmes 29/lS9.02

Primary Examiner-Richard J. Herbst Assistant Examiner-V. A. DipalmaAttorney-William R. Jacox et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A bicycle wheel rim is placed on a fixture mounted on arotary indexing transfer table, and a plurality of spokes are attachedto a hub which is supported by the fixture in concentric relation withthe rim. The table indexes, and the hub and attached spokes are shiftedby theijxtureto a rotatable spoke orienting head which grips and spinsthe hub causing the spokes to be centrifugally positioned insubstantially uniform angularly spaced relation. The outwardly extendingspinning spokes are picked up by corresponding magnets carried by therotating orienting head, and an inner group of spokes are shifted intocrossing relation with an outer group of spokes. The hub and crossedspokes are then transferred to the table fixture where the orientedspokes are positioned in outwardly converging relation aligned withcorresponding holes fonned in the rim. The table indexes again to movethe fixtured hub, rim and angularly positioned crossed spokes to adevice which simultaneously extends corresponding nut-like threadedfasteners or nipples through the holes in the rim and tightens thenipples onto the end portions of the spokes to a predetermined uniformtorque. The table then indexes to transfer the assembled wheel to adischarge station where the wheel is ejected from the table fixture bypins which extend upwardly to press the rim upwardly from the fixture.

24 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures m m m PATENTED SE?! 8 I873 sum 2 BF 4WHEEL ASSEMBLY METHOD AND APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In themanufacture of bicycle and motorbike wheels, a tubular hub, havingflanges on each end, is rotatably mounted on a threaded shaft by a pairof antifriction bearings and suitable lock nuts, and each of the hubflanges has circumferentially spaced holes through which wire spokes arethreaded or laced. Commonly, each of the spokes has a right angle endportion which extends through a hole in one of the hub flanges, and thatend portion of the spoke has an enlarged head to prevent the end portionfrom being pulled through the hole. Some of the spokes extend from theinner sides of the hub flanges to the concentric annular rim, andanother group of spokes extend from the outer sides of the hub flangesto the rim. The inner and outer spokes connected to each hub flangeextend tangentially in opposite directions so that the outer spokescross the inner spokes to provide the wheel assembly with maximumstrength andrigidity. Each of the spokes has an outer threaded endportion. A threaded fitting or nipple extends inwardly towards thecenter of the wheel through a corresponding hole in the rim and istightened onto the spoke to a predetermined torque to draw its radiallyoutward head against the rim, so that all of the spokes are placed intension and cooperate to hold the rim in a circular condition.

Usually, each of the spokes is manually laced through a hub flange holeand is held in alignment with the corresponding hole within the rimwhile the nipple is manually threaded onto the end portion of the spoke.While various forms of fixtures have been used to locate the hub and rimin concentric relation, substantial time and labor are required formanually orientating and positioning the spokes and for fastening thespokes to the rim. This time and labor significantly increases themanufacturing cost of the assembled wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a methodand apparatus for rapidly and automatically assembling a wheel whichincludes a plurality of spokes for connecting a hub member to aconcentric annular rim. The invention provides an important feature ofsignificantly reducing the time and the manual labor required forassembling a wheel and, in addition, provides for producing a wheelwherein the spokes are uniformly ten sioned, and the rim is positionedprecisely true and concentric with an axle extending through the hub.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention which isideally suited for producing a large volume of bicycle wheels, anannular metal rim is seated on one of a series of fixtures mounted on arotary indexing table. A hub having parallel spaced end flanges ismounted on a threaded axle which is secured to a loading device, and aplurality of wire spokes are laced into corresponding holes formedwithin the hub flanges, In a conventional manner, one group of spokesextends from the inner faces of the hub flanges, and another group ofspokes extends from the outer faces of the flanges. The hub and attachedspokes are trans ferred to the table fixture where the lower end of theaxle is gripped by a collet chuck located in the center of the fixtureconcentric with the support for the wheel The transfer table is indexed,and the concentric rim and hub and the freely depending spokes, areshifted to a spoke orientating device wherein the upper end portion ofthe hub is gripped by a drive hub on the lower end portion of a verticalshaft. The wheel hub and spokes are rotated or spun at a speedsufficient to cause the spokes to extend centrifugally outwardly fromthe hub flanges with the spokes being positioned generally radiallyrelative to the hub flanges and in uniform angularly spaced relation.During spinning, the spokes lie in four planes, and each spoke has anunique rotational position because no two spoke holes are in alignmentalong the hub axis, the holes in one flange being centered between theholes in the other. While the hub and spokes are spinning, the spokesare picked up by corresponding magnets which are arranged at fourdifferent levels corresponding to the vertical spacing of the spokesextending from the inner and outer faces of both hub flanges.

The group of magnetically retained spokes extending from the inner facesof the hub flanges, are then rotated or shifted relative to the group ofspokes extending from the outer faces of the hub flanges so that thespokes are arranged in uniformly spaced crossing relation. The crossedspokes are engaged by corresponding magnets carried by a transfer discwhich moves axially with the hub support shaft to transfer the hub andorientated spokes back to the table fixture where the spokes are tiltedor positioned in outwardly converging relation and in alignment withcorresponding holes within the surrounding rim.

The transfer table is indexed again, and the hub and oriented spokes aretransferred by the fixture to a device which simultaneously extendsthreaded fasteners or nipples through the rim holes and threads thenipples onto the aligned outer end portions of the spokes until apredetermined uniform torque is attained, thereby completing theassembly of the wheel. The transfer table is indexed again so that theassembled wheel is moved to a discharge and inspection station where thewheel is ejected from the fixture by a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced ejector pins which are elevated by a fluid cylinder for pressingthe wheel upwardly from the table fixture.

The entire apparatus of the invention is automatically controlled, andwhile the oriented spokes of one wheel are being automatically securedto a surrounding rim, the spokes of another wheel are beingautomatically oriented and positioned, while simultaneously the hub,spokes and rim for the next wheel are being loaded onto one of the tablefixtures.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofapparatus constructed in accordance with the invention for automaticallyassembling a bicycle wheel;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of an assembled bicycle wheel;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken generally on the line 3 -'3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an axial section of one of the transfer table fixtures shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an axial section of the lower portion of the spoke orientingmechanism shown in FIG. I and illustrating its relative position spacedabove a table transfer fixture;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a table fixture taken generally on theline 6 6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a section taken generally on the line 77 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an axial section of the upper control and actuating portion ofthe spoke orienting mechanism and forming an extension of the portionshown in FIG. 5, on a slightly smaller scale;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section taken generally on line 9 9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary axial section of the spoke and rim fasteningmechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1 1 is an enlarged elevational view of a spoke fastener drivingunit; and

FIG. 12 is a partial section of a spoke fastener driving unit as takengenerally on the line 12 12 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The wheel assembly machine shownin FIG. I is particularly constructed for automatically assembling abicycle wheel (FIG. 2) which includes an annular rim 22 having agenerally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 3. Therim 22 has a series of circumferentially spaced spoke connecting holes23 which are alternately offset slightly from the center of the rim 22as shown in FIG. 3. The rim 22 also has a large hole 24 (FIG. 4) forreceiving a valve stem (not shown). The wheel 20 further includes afabricated tubular metal hub 25 having parallel spaced end flanges 26each having a series of fourteen circumferentially spaced holes 28. Theholes 28 within one flange 26 are centered between the holes 28 withinthe other flange when the hub is viewed axially. A threaded axle 30extends through the hub 25 and is rotatably supported within the hub bya pair of antifriction ball bearings (not shown) retained by a set oflock nuts 32.

A series of wire spokes extend between the hub 25 and the rim 22, andeach spoke 35 has an L-shaped headed end portion 36 which extendsthrough one of the holes 28 in one of the hub flanges 26. The spokes35-have outer threaded end portions 38 (FIG. 3) which converge to therim 22 and are connected by slotted head nuts or nipples 40 extendingthrough the corre sponding rim holes 23. As shown in FIG. 2, one groupof spokes 35 extend generally tangentially in one direction from theinner faces of the hub flanges 26 and are herein referred to as theinner spokes. Another group of spokes 35 extend tangentially from theouter faces of the hub flanges 26 and in the opposite direction from theinner spokes, and are herein referred to as the outer spokes. Thus theouter spokes extending from each hub flange cross the inner spokesextending from the flange. In addition, the holes 28 within one of thehub flanges, are arranged or located between the holes 28 in the otherhub flange, as mentioned above, so that the outer end portions 38 of thespokes 35 connect with the rim 22 in an alternating uniformly spacedmanner.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wheel assembly machine constructed in accordancewith the invention, includes a fabricated metal base frame 42 whichsupports a circular transfer table 45 for rotation on a vertical centeraxis. The transfer table 45 is indexed by an indexing drive unit,diagramatically shown as 46, which is mounted on the frame 42 andlocated under the table 45. A series of four circular openings 48 (FIG.4) are formed within the table 45 in uniform angularly spaced relation,and a wheel support fixture 50 is mounted within each of the openings48. While only four equally spaced fixtures 50 are mounted within thetransfer table 45 shown in FIG. I, it is to be understood that more orless fixtures may be used.

Each of the wheel support fixtures 50 includes an annular housing 52(FIG. 4) which seats within the correspondingopening 48 and is securedto the table 45 by a series of circumferentially spaced bolts 53. Afixture ring 55 is mounted on the housing 52 and has an outercylindrical surface 56 with a diameter substantially the same as thetrue inner diameter of the rim 22 so that the rim firmly engages thesurface 56 and is held precisely circular.

Referring to FIG. 6, a series of circumferentially spaced sets of holes58 and 59 extend axially into the fixture ring 55, and each set of holes58 and 59 are intersected by a radially extending slot 60 for receivingthe outer end portion of a spoke which is retained by a spring clip 61located within the hole 58. Also recessed within the fixture ring 55 isa U-shaped fitting 63 (FIG. 6) which supports a radially outwardlyprojecting pin 64. The pin 64 projects through the valve stem hole 24within the rim 22 and thereby orients the rim 22 so that the rim holes23 align with the slots 60 within the fixture ring. The fitting 63 issupported by a set of vertically spaced links 66 (FIG. 4) which arepivotally connected to a U-shaped fitting 67 secured to the fixture ring55. The links 66 provide for parallelogram movement of the fitting 63upwardly and inwardly relative to the fitting 67 to provide forretracting the locating pin 64 from the valve stem holes 24 when the rim22 is raised from the fixture ring 55, as will be explained later.

A series of circumferentially spaced ejector pins 70 are positionedvertically under the rim 22 on the fixture ring 55 and are supported forvertical movement by a corresponding series of tubular bushings 72 eachhaving an upper flange secured to the housing 52. The pins 70 extendinto aligned holes formed within the fixture ring 55 and have enlargedtapered lower end portions 73. A compression spring 74 surrounds each ofthe tubular bushings 72 and engages the lower end portion 73 of thecorresponding ejector pin 70 to retain the ejecting pin in a normallyretracted position as shown in FIG. 4.

A pan-shaped lower housing 76 is secured to the upper housing 52 and hasa series of holes 77 for receiving the ejector pin bushings 72 and thesurrounding compression springs 74. A bushing 78 is located within thecenter of the lower housing 76 and supports a tubu lar shaft 80 havingan axis common with the axis of the cylindrical surface 56 on thefixture ring 55. A head assembly 82 is mounted on the upper end of theshaft 80 and includes a collet housing 83 supporting a collet chuck 84which is movable axially within the housing 83 by a fluid clampingcylinder 85 mounted on the lower end portion of the shaft 80 andconnected to the collet chuck 84 by a rod 86. A spring biased spokesupport cone 88 surrounds the collet housing 83 and delines a chamber 89which provides for downward axial movement of the support cone 88 on thecollet housing 83 in response to pneumatic pressure supplied to thesupport cone 88 through a flexible line 92 connected by fittings 93 to asolenoid actuated valve 95.

The tubular shaft and the head assembly 82 of each wheel support fixture50, are movable axially or vertically as a unit between a retractedposition (FIG. 4) and an extended or elevated position (FIG. 5). Aspring biased detent roller 96 (FIG. 4) is adapted to engage either oneor two cavities 97 within the tubular shaft 80 to retain the shaft 80 ineither its elevated or retracted position.

Air is supplied to the collet actuating cylinder and the valve of eachfixture 50 through a stationary conduit 98 (FIG. 1) which extends fromthe base frame 42 to the center of the transfer table 45. A rotary seal100 is mounted on the hub of the transfer table 45 and connects the airsupply conduit 98 to the air supply lines which extend to the cylinders85 and valves 95 of the support fixtures 50. In addition, electricalcontrol lines (not shown) for selectively actuating the solenoid valves95, extend through the conduit 98 and rotary contacts located within thehub of the transfer table 45. The vertical movement of the head assembly82 is controlled by actuation of a fluid cylinder which is located belowthe transfer table 45. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the collet chuck 84 isadapted to receive and grip the lower end portion of the axle 30, andthe upper end surface of the spoke support cone 88 forms a seat for theadjacent lower flange 26 of the wheel hub 25.

A spoke orienting mechanism or device (FIG. 1) is supported by the baseframe 42 above the cylinder 105 and includes an inverted L-shapedfabricated metal frame or housing 112 which projects inwardly above thetransfer table 45. As will be explained later, the spoke orientingdevice 110 defines a station where the spokes 35 are oriented angularlyafter the spokes are laced through the holes 28 within the hub flanges26. The housing 112 of the spoke orienting device 110, includes a lowersupport plate 114 (FIG. 8) and an inner support plate 116 rigidlyconnected by a boxshaped sidewall 118. A set of antifriction bearings121 and 122 are mounted on the plates 114 and 116, respectively androtatably support a tubular sleeve 124 in which a main support tube 125is mounted for axially sliding movement. A flange 127 (FIG. 5) is formedon the lower end portion of the support tube 125, and a gear 128 isrigidly secured to the flange 127.

A spoke orienting head assembly 130 (FIG. 5) includes a housing 132which is rotatably mounted on the lower end portion of the main supporttube 125 and is confined between the bottom flange 127 and a bearingcollar 133 rigidly secured to the support tube 125. The housing 132includes a lower ring or annular portion 136 which has a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inwardly projecting upper fingers 138 (FIG. 7)each supporting a short cylindrical permanent bar magnet 140. Aninverted V-shaped guide fork 141 projects downwardly from the inner endof each finger 138.

An annular plate 142 is mounted on the lower end of the housing portion136 and also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced and inwardlyprojecting lower fingers 143 in which are inserted corresponding seriesof permanent magnets 140. Thus there are seven uniformly spaced upperfingers 138 supporting an upper level of magnets and seven uniformlyspaced lower fingers 143 supporting the lower level of. magnets 140.Each of the fingers 143 supports a spoke guide fork 141 in the samemanner as the fingers 138.

A spoke orienting inner housing or ring member is supportedconcentrically within the lower housing portion 136 by a plurality ofperipherally spaced bearing shoes 151 which engage a circumferentiallyextending track 152 on the ring member. A series of seven uniformlyspaced fingers 154 (FIGS. 5 and 7) project inwardly above another seriesof seven uniformly spaced fingers 156. Each of the fingers 154 and 156carries a bar type permanent magnet 140 and a spoke guide fork 141 inthe same manner as the fingers 138 and 142. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourlevels of fingers 138, 143, 154 and 156 are arranged so that all 28fingers are uniformly spaced around the axis of the head assembly 130even though the fingers are arranged on four different levels.

A ring gear 159 (FIGS. 5 and 7) extends around the inner housing member150 and is engaged by two pinions 161 spaced apart. Each pinion 161 ismounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 162 rotatably supported byupper and lower bearing support members 163 and 164. A pulley 167 ismounted on the upper end portion of each shaft 162 and is driven by agear belt 168 which extends around a larger diameter pulley 169 mountedon a corresponding vertical stub shaft 171-rotatably supported bybearings in the housing 132 and in the bearing support member 163. Apinion 172 is mounted on each of the shafts 171 and engages the gear 128which is secured to the lower end flange 127 of the main head supporttube 125.

Two fluid or hydraulic motors or rotary actuators 175, spaced 180 apart,are mounted on the housing 132 and drive pinions 176 which engage thegear 128. Thus operation of the actuator 175 is effective to rotate thehead 130 in one direction on the support tube 125 while the ring member150 is rotated in the opposite direction. Stop members 178 are formed asan integral part of the pinion 176 and is adapted to engage rubberbumpers on a set of adjustment screws 179 for adjusting the limits ofrelative rotation between the housing 132 and the ring member 150.Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the actuator 175 through a flexible line182 which connects with a rotary seal member 183 mounted on the headsupport tube 125. The rotary seal member 183 engages a stationaryannular seat member 184 which receives a hydraulic fluid supply from aline 186.

Another support tube (FIG. 5) extends within the head support tube 125and is keyed for axially sliding movement. The support tube 190 has alower peripheral flange 192 which is secured to a circular transfer disc195 having a series of angularly spaced holes or openings 196 (FIG. 7)which serve to reduce the I mass and inertia of the transfer disc 195. Aseries of bar-type permanentmagnets 198 are spaced uniformly around theperiphery of the transfer disc 195 and are arranged in nearly radialalignment with the corresponding magnets 140 supported by the fingers138, 143, 154 and 156.

A solid shaft 205 is keyed for axially sliding movement within thetransfer disc support tube 190, and a wheel hub drive member 206 ismounted on the lower end portion of the shaft 205 for engaging the upperflange 26 of the wheel hub 25, as will be explained later. The hub drivemember 206 includes a pilot bore 207 for rotatably receiving the upperend portion of the axle 30.

Referring to FIG. 8, the vertical movement of the spoke orienting head130 is controlled by pivotal movement of a lever 210 pivotally connectedby a pin 211 to the piston rod of a fluid hydraulic cylinder 212 whichis pivotally connected to a bracket 213 secured to a cross member 214 ofthe support housing 112. The lever 210 is also pivotally connected by apin 216 to the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder 218 pivotallyconnected by a pin 219 to the inner plate 116 of the housing 112. AU-shaped bracket 221 allows the lever plates 210 to clear the sides ofthe cylinder in the down position. A rotary thrust and radial bearing223 is mounted on the upper end portion of the head support tube 125 andis pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the lever 210.

The transfer disc support tube 190 is moved vertically by a lever 225which has one end pivotally connected to a rotary thrust bearing 226mounted on the upper end portion of the support tube 190. The oppositeend of the lever 225 is pivotally supported by a pin 228 which isslidably mounted within horizontally extending tracks 229 formed withina bracket 231 secured to the cross member 214 of the housing 112. A setof aligned and rigidly connected hydraulic cylinders 235 and 236 arepivotally connected by a pin 237 to the lever 225. The U shaped bracket238 allows the lever plates 225 to clear the sides of the fluid cylinder235 in the down position. The other end of the arm 239 is pivotallyconnected by a pin 241 to a bracket 242 secured to a cross beam 243 ofthe housing 112. A pin 244 pivotally connects the piston rod of thehydraulic cylinder 235 to a bracket 246 secured to the housing plate 1 16.

A tube 248 has its lower end portion rigidly secured to the rotarythrust bearing 226, and a hydraulic cylinder 250 is mounted on the upperend of the tube 248. The cylinder 250 has a piston rod which is securedto a collar 252 slidably mounted within tube 248 and connected to theupper end of the shaft 205 by a pair of rotary thrust bearings 253. Thusactuation of the cylinder 250 is efiective to produce axial movement ofthe support tube 190 with respect to the head support tube 125 and thesolid shaft 205. This results in axial motion of the spoke transfer disc195 with respect to the orienting head 132 and driver 206. Axialmovement of the head support tube 125 within the tubular sleeve 124, isproduced by selective actuation of hydraulic cylinder 212 and 218.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the spoke orienting head assembly 130 and itssupport tube 125 are rotated or driven by a hydraulic motor 260 which issupported by a bracket 261 adjustably mounted on the inner plate 1 16 ofthe housing 112. A pulley 263 is mounted on the shaft of the motor 260and drives an endless gear belt 264 which extends around a largerdiameter pulley 266 mounted on the tubular sleeve 124 which is keyed tothe head support tube 125. The speed of the motor 260 is sensed by asensing unit 268 (FIG. 8) which is connected to control a suitablevisual display device (not shown).

An index collar 275 (FIG. 8) is mounted on the tube support sleeve 124directly below the pulley 266 and has a plurality of peripherally spacedcurved detent notches 276 which are adapted to receive a follower orroller 278. The roller 278 is mounted on a lever 279 pivotally supportedby a pin 281 projecting upwardly from a collar 284 rotatably mounted onthe tubular support sleeve 124. A fluid cylinder 285 (FIG. 9) ispivotally connected by a pin 28? to a bracket 288 which is secured tothe collar 284, and a pin 289. pivotally connects the piston rod of thecylinder 285 (FIG. 9) to an end portion of the lever 279. Anotherhydraulic cylinder 292 (FIG. 9) is pivotally connected to the bracket261 by a pin 293 and has a piston rod which is pivotally connected by apin 296 to the collar 284. By extending the piston rod of the cylinder285, the roller 278 is urged inwardly into the adjacent notch 276thereby locking the spoke orienting head 130 against angular rotationrelative to the collar 284 and the tubular support shaft 124. Actuationof the cylinder 292 is then effective to rotate the spoke orienting head130 for precisely orienting the head 130 angularly with respect to theframe 112 and the rim support fixture 50 located directly below thespoke orienting head.

The spoke orienting device 110 functions in the following maner. Asmentioned above, a rim 22 is mounted on one of the transfer tablefixtures 50 located at the loading station which is adjacent theoperator shown in FIG. 1. After a set of spokes are laced into the hubflange holes 28, the hub and axle assembly are positioned so that thelower hub flange rests upon the upper end of the upwardly biased spokesupport cone 88, and the lower end portion of the axle is gripped by thecollet chuck 84. The spokes 38 depend or hang downwardly from the hub 25and rest upon the cone 88. When the transfer table 45 indexes thefrxtured rim 22 and concentrically supported hub 25 and spokes 35 aremoved to the spoke orienting station where the spoke orienting device islocated.

At this latter station, the air cylinder 105 is actuated to hold the hubsupport head assembly 82 in its up position, and the normally extendingpiston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 236 is retracted (FIG. 8) to lowerthe shaft 205 downwardly until the driving hub 206 (FIG. 5) engages thespokes extending from the upper flange portion of the wheel hub 25, andthe bore 207 receives the upwardly projecting end portion of the axle30. Cylinder 285 (FIG. 5) is then activated to retract the roller 278from the locating cam 275, and the spoke locating cone member 88 isshifted downwardly by a fraction of an inch. The fixture head collet 84continues to support the lower end portion of the axle 30 which does notrotate during the spoke orienting cycle.

The entire spoke orienting head assembly is then rotated by actuatingthe hydraulic motor 260 until the head assembly 130, the hub 25 and thespokes 35 are spinning at a predetermined speed of approximately 600rpm. At this speed, all of the spokes 35 extend centrifugally outwardlyin a uniform angularly spaced relation from the hub flanges 26, and thepaths of the spokes define four radial planes (FIG. 5) corresponding tothe inner and outer faces of the hub flanges .26.

While the head assembly 130 and the hub 25 and spokes 35 are spinning,the hydraulic cylinder 218 is actuated to lower the orienting head 130so that the spokes 35 move into the housing portion 136. Cylinder 212 isextended and retracted so that the spokes 35 are engaged by thecorresponding magnets supported by the fingers 138, 143, 154 and 156. Asmentioned above, the arrangement of the magnets 140 within the fourdifferent levels of the fingers, corresponds to the four levels definedby the inner and outer faces of the hub flanges 26 from which the spokesextend.

In addition, each spoke hole is in a unique position about the axis ofthe hub. That is, since no two holes are superimposed when viewed alongthe hub axis, the spokes correspondingly, when spinning, are not onlyarranged in four planes perpendicular to the hub axis, but each spoke isin unique position rotationally about the hub so that all of the spokesare visible and accessible from their outer ends without interference.The magnets 140 are correspondingly positioned.

After the spokes 35 are picked up by the magnets 140, the hydraulicmotor 260 is turned off, and the orienting head 130 decellerates untilit stops. The rotary actuators 175 are then operated to cause rotationof the ring member 150 by approximately 170 within the housing portion136. This relative rotation causes the spokes 35 projecting from theinner faces of the hub flanges 26, to cross the spokes 35 projectingfrom the outer faces of the hub flanges so that the inner group ofspokes 35 project tangentially in the opposite direction from the hubflanges than the outer group of spokes.

After the inner group of spokes 35 extending from the inner faces of thehub flanges 26, are crossed relative to the spokes extending from theouter faces of the hub flanges 26, the fluid cylinder 285 is extended tourge the follower or roller 278 into one of the cam notches 276.Cylinder 292 is then slowly moved to its fully extended position toindex the orienting head assembly 130 angularly to an accurate finalposition where the outer end portions of the crossed orientated spokes35 are aligned vertically with the corresponding slots 60 within thetable support fixture 50 located below the orienting head 130. Thecylinder 250 is then actuated so that the transfer disc 190 movesdownwardly on the shaft 205 causing the magnets 198 on the transfer disc190 to engage and strip off the spokes 35 from the magnets 140.

The fluid cylinder 235 is actuated to move the shaft 205, drive hub 206and the transfer disc 190 downwardly as a unit into the underlying tablefixture 50. As this unit moves downwardly, the hub assembly of the tablefixture 50 is pressed downwardly to its retracted position shown in FIG.4. As the orientated spokes 35 enter the corresponding slots 60 (FIG. 6)within the ring member 55 of the table fixture 50, the spokes snap intothe spring retaining clips 61 located within the holes 58. The springclips 61 are positioned so that as they receive the spokes 35 beingtransferred by the disc 190, the spokes are tilted into outwardlyconverging relation in alignment with the corresponding holes 23 withinthe rim 22. The cylinder 235 is actuated to retract the shaft 205 andtransfer disc 190 upwardly ready for receiving the next succeeding huband axle assembly along with the loosely connected depending inner andouter groups of spokes 35.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the wheel assembly machine includes a spokefastening mechanism or device 300 which is supported by the base frame42 and delines a spoke fastening station located l80from the hub andspokes loading station and 90 from the spoke orienting station. Thespoke fastening device 300 includes a generally C-shaped frame orhousing 302 (FIG. 1) which rigidly supports a vertical guide tube 304(FIG. 10) above the path of the support fixtures 50 on the transfertable 45. A spoke fastening head 310 includes a support tube 312 whichis slidably mounted within the guide tube 304 by a set of peripherallyspaced axially extending tracks 314 which receive corresponding guideblocks 316 secured to the guide tube 304.

An annular disc-like plate 320 is secured to the lower end portion ofthe support tube 312 and supports a cylindrical fixture ring 322 havinga bottom surface contour for engaging the rim 22 mounted on the tablefixture 50 located directly below the head 310. An air actuated collet323 is supported within the center of the plate 320 by a collet head 324and engages the upper end portion of the axle 30 when the ring 322 seatson the rim 22.

The plate 320 supports a series of angularly spaced fastener drivingunits 325, one for each of the spokes 35. The driving units 325 dependfrom alternately arranged mounting blocks 327 and 328 adjustably securedto corresponding support brackets 329 mounted on the plate 320. Eachfastener driving unit 325 is arranged in generally converging relationwith the two adjacent driving units, and the longitudinal axis of eachdriving unit is aligned with the corresponding spoke 35 retained by thefixture ring 55.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, each of the fastener driving units 325includes an elongated housing block 330 which supports a pair of guiderods 331. A carriage 332 is slidably mounted on the rods 33], and afluid cylinder 335 is recessed within the housing block 330, with itspiston rod 336 adjustably secured to the carriage 332 by a set of locknuts 337. A pneumatic motor 340 is secured to the carriage 332 by aclamping bracket 341 and has a drive shaft 342 rotatably supported onits inner end by a thrust bearing 343 (FIG. 12). One form of pneumaticmotor 340 which has been found satisfactory, is manufactured by theRockwell Manufacturing Company and sold as model No. 18F- 9558.

The carriage 332 and motor 340 are normally urged to a retractedposition (FIG. 11) by a compression spring 347 which extends between theguide rods 331. The forward end portion of the drive shaft 342 supportsa screwdriving bit 350 for axial movement within a tubular guide head352 slidably supported within a housing 353 secured to the forward endportion of a housing block 330. A collar 354 is formed as part of thedrive shaft 342 and is slidably mounted within a liner tube 355 locatedwithin the slidable head 352. A set of thrust bearings 357 are locatedat opposite ends of the liner tube 355 and are adapted to be engaged bythe collar 354 when the drive shaft 342 is extended or retracted axiallyby movement of the carriage 332.

A pair of diametrically opposed pincher-like gripping jaws or fingers360 are pivotally mounted on corresponding pins 361 supported by thehead 352 and are biased towards closed positions by a corresponding setof compression springs 363. A succession of threaded fasteners ornipples 40 are supplied to the head 352 of each fastener driving unit325 through a tube 365 connected to a vibratory hopper (not shown) whichreceives a supply of nipples. Each nipple 40 is blown through the supplytube 365 and is positioned in front of the screw driving bit 350. Thejaws 360 are opened by air which is supplied through an air tube 368connected to the housing 353 by a fitting 369.

A set of fluid supply lines 372 and 374 (FIG. 1) connect the carriageextension cylinder 334 and the air motor 340 of each fastener drivingunit 325, to corresponding fittings 376 which extend into correspondingannular advance and retract manifolds 377 and motor drive manifold 378.The manifolds 377 and 378 are defined by vertically spaced annularplates 379 connecting concentric cylindrical rings 38! and 382 which areSupported by a cylindrical base tube 384 mounted on the bottom plate 320of the head 310. A series of lines 385 (FIG. '10) supply air to themanifolds 377 and 378 and to another annular manifold 386 from which theline 368 extends to actuate the jaws 360. The air supply to each of themanifolds is controlled by a solenoid actuated valve (not shown) withinthe corresponding air supply line.

The spoke fastener head 310, including the peripherally spaced fastenerdriving units 325, is movable vertically as a unit in response toactuation of a hydraulic cylinder 390 which is secured to the housing302 and has a piston rod 391 connected to a circular plate 393 retainedwithin the head support tube 312 above the collet support head 324.

The spoke fastening device 300 operates in the following manner. After aset of spokes 35 are angularly arranged in crossing relation by thespoke orienting device 110 and are transferred to a transfer tablefixture 50, the transfer table 45 is indexed 90 to advance the fixture50, rim 22 and aligned spokes 35 to the spoke fastening device 300 wherethe axis of the fixture 50 is located in vertical alignment with theaxis of the spoke fastening head 310. The hydraulic cylinder 390 isactuated to lower the head 310 until the bottom surface of the locatingring 322 seats on the upper flange of the rim 22 mounted on the fixture50, and the collet 323 receives the axle 30. Nipples 40 aresimultaneously supplied to the driving units 325, and are held inposition by the jaws 360. Air is supplied to the advance manifold 377causing the cylinders 334 to extend, and the screw driver motors 340 aresimultaneously energized by air supplied to the manifold 378 when thecylinders 334 start to extend. As each screw driver shaft 342 advanceswithin its corresponding head 352, the corresponding bit 350 engages thenipple 40.

When the collar 354 engages the forward thrust bearing'357, the head 352advances with the rotating shaft 342. Thus the nipples 40 aresimultaneously extended through the corresponding rim holes 23 and arethreaded onto the end portions 38 of their corresponding spokes 35. Thenipples 40 are simultaneously tightened to a predetermined torque ofapproximately 4.5 inch pounds by the units 325, at which point the airmotors 340 stop. The cylinders 334 are then retracted so that the driveshafts 342 retract with the carriages 332. When the collars 354 engagesthe rear thrust bearings 357, the heads 352 of the fastener drivingunits 325 are retracted with the shafts 342 back to their home or normalpositions as shown in FIG. 12.

After the spokes are simultaneously secured to the surrounding rim 22 bythe fastening nipples 40 to complete the assembly of a wheel, the spokefastening head 310 is elevated or retracted upwardly by actuation of thehydraulic cylinder 390. The transfer table is then indexed 90 to advancethe assembled wheel and its supporting fixture to a discharge stationwhere a pedestal 400 projects outwardly from the base frame 42 forsupporting a wheel assembly inspection device (not shown).

An ejector plate (not shown) is located at the discharge station belowthe transfer table 45 and is supported for vertical movement byactuation of a hydraulic cylinder (not shown). A series of peripherallyspaced rods 402 project upwardly from the ejector plate and are adaptedto engage the lower ends of the ejector pins within the wheel supportfixture 50. When the ejector plate and rods 402 are elevated, theejector pins 70 press the rim 22 upwardly from the fixture ring 55,thereby releasing the assembled wheel from its supporting fixture 50.The pin 76 within the valve stem hole 24 is automatically retracted whenthe rim 22 is ejected. The transfer table 45 is indexed again so thatthe fixture 50 from which the assembled wheel is removed, is advanced tothe loading station for receiving another rim 22 and hub sub-assemblyincluding an axle 30 and attached spokes 35.

From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent that a wheelassembly machine constructed in accordance with the present invention,provides desirable features and advantages. Primarily, the machineprovides for automatically assembling a wire spoke wheel more rapidlyand more efficiently than the manual assembly techniques usedheretofore. That is, by spinning the spokes after they are laced throughthe hub flanges, the spokes are arranged in uniform angularly spacedrelation extendinggenerally radially outwardly from the hub flanges inthe same direction. The spoke orienting head assembly 130 then providesfor engaging the spokes while they are spinning and for shifting orrotating the group of inner spokes in crossing relation to the group ofouter spokes so that the groups of crossed spokes extend tangentiallyfrom the hub flanges in opposite directions while remaining in uniformangularly spaced relation.

Another important feature of the invention is provided by each supportfixture 50 carried by the transfer table 45. That is, each fixture 50not only provides for transferring a hub and spoke sub-assembly to thespoke orienting device 110, but also provides for positioning theorientated crossed spokes in alignment with the holes 23 within the rim22. Furthermore, each fixture 50 provides for transferring theorientated and aligned spokes with the surrounding rim to the spokefastening device 300. As another important feature, the spoke fasteningdevice 300 cooperates with each support fixture 50 for simultaneouslyassembling all of the fastening nipples 40 onto the ends of the spokesand for tightening the nipples 40 to efi'ect a uniform tension in thespokes 35 as well as a precise circular rim 22.

The control components for operating the transfer table 45, the spokeorienting device and the spoke fastening device 300 have not beendescribed since the use and application of the components would be apparent to a person knowledgeable in fluid and electrical control systemsand having the benefit of this disclosure. In general, however, all ofthe control components are operated from a main control console (FIG. 1)which is located adjacent the loading station, and provide forautomatically indexing the transfer table 45 in timed relation with thesimultaneous operations of the spoke orienting device 110 and the spokefastening device 300.

While the method and form of apparatus herein described constitutes apreferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise method and form of apparatusdescribed, and that changes may be made therein without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Apparatus for assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub anda plurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatuscomprising means for spinning the hub on its axis after the inner endsof the spokes are attached to the hub causing the spokes to extendcentrifugally outwardly from the hub in a predetermined pattern duringrotation of the hub, and orienting means for receiving the spokes insaid pattern while the spokes are spinning with the hub and forarranging the spokes in a predetermined relationship with respect to thehub.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said orienting means iseffective to cross a first group of spokes relative to a second group ofspokes, and means for aligning the crossed spokes with correspondingholes within the rim.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said spinning means and saidorienting means comprise a rotatable head assembly, and means forrotating said head assembly.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said head assembly includes ashaft member having an axis coaxial with the rotational axis of saidhead assembly, said shaft member including means for holding said hub inaxial alignment, means for effecting relative axial movement betweensaid shaft member and said orienting means while said head assembly isrotating to efiect engagement of the spokes by said spoke orientingmeans.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said head assembly includesmeans for crossing a first group of spokes relative to a second group ofspokes, and motor means carried by said head assembly and connected toactuate said spoke crossing means while said head assembly is rotating.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a movable transfer table,at least one fixture mounted on said table and including means forretaining the rim, and means concentric with said rim retaining meansfor supporting the hub with the spokes attached to the hub.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means for moving said hubsupporting means between a lower retracted position and an upperextended position relative to said rim retaining means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said rim retaining meansrigidly engages the inner surface of the rim, and means for ejecting therim from said rim retaining means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said fixture includeslocating means for engaging a valve stem opening within the rim, andsaid locating means being movable to a retracted position in response toactuation of said rim ejecting means.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said fixture includes meansfor receiving the crossed spokes, and means for transferring the crossedspokes from said spoke orienting means to said spoke receiving means ofsaid fixture.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for spinning thehub and spokes, comprise rotatable head assembly including said spokeorienting means, means for rotating said head assembly, said means fortransferring the crossed spokes comprise a transfer member forming partof said head assembly, and means for moving said transfer member axiallyrelative to said orienting means.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for orienting thespokes comprise magnetic members for engaging the spokes, and means forshifting at least some of said magnetic members relative to othermagnetic members to effect crossing of one group of spokes relative toanother group of spokes.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including a series of fastenerdriving units arranged in angularly spaced relation around the rim,means for successively delivering a supply of threaded fasteners to eachsaid unit, and each said unit including means for extending and rotatingeach fastener through a corresponding hole within the rim.

14. Apparatus for assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub anda plurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatuscomprising means for spinning the hub on its axis after the spokes areattached to the hub causing the spokes to extend centrifugally outwardlyfrom the hub in a predetermined pattern, means for retaining the spokesin said pattern while they are spinning with the hub, means for shiftingsaid retaining means to effect crossing of a first group of spokesrelative to a second group of spokes, and means for aligning the crossedspokes in predetermined relation with the rim.

15. Apparatus for assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub anda plurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatuscomprising a fixture including means for supporting the rim and hub inconcentric relation with the spokes attached to the hub, means forspinning the hub and the attached spokes on the axis of the hub causingthe spokes to extend centrifugally outwardly from the hub in apredetermined pattern, means for crossing one group of spokes relativeto another group of spokes, and means on said fixture for positioningthe crossed spokes in predetermined relation with the rim on saidfixture.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said hub spinning means andsaid spoke crossing means are located above said fixture, and means formoving said fixture between a first position where said hub supportingmeans is axially aligned with said hub spinning means and a secondposition spaced from said first position.

17. Apparatus for assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hubhaving axially spaced radial flanges and a plurality of spokes forconnecting the hub flanges to the rim, one group of spokes beingattached to the hub and extending from the inner surfaces of the flangesand another group of spokes being attached to the hub and extending fromthe outer surfaces of the flanges, said apparatus comprising means forspinning the hub on its axis with the spokes attached to the hub flangescausing the spokes to extend centrifugally outwardly from the hubflanges in a predetermined pattern, means for engaging the spokes insaid pattern while they are spinning with the hub, means for crossing ofthe one group of spokes relative to the other group of spokes, and meansfor positioning the crossed spokes in generally outwardly convergingrelation towards the rim.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 including a plurality of fastenerdriving units arranged in an annular pattern, means for positioning thefastener driving units in surrounding relation with the rim and withsaid units substantially aligned with corresponding spokes, and eachsaid unit having means for extending a threaded fastener through acorresponding hole within the rim and for threading the fastener ontothe corresponding spoke to a predetermined torque.

19. Apparatus for assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub anda plurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatuscomprising means for spinning the hub on its axis with the spokes freelyconnected to the hub at their inner ends causing the spokes to extendcentrifugally outwardly from the hub in a predetermined pattern duringrotation, and orienting means for operative association with each suchspoke while in said predetermined pattern and while the spokes arespinning with the hub.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said orienting means isoperative to shift the spokes associated therewith from saidpredetermined pattern into a second desired relationship placing theouter ends of said spokes in positions determined by the characteristicsof said rim, and means for connecting said outer spoke ends to said rimto complete the assembly.

21. A method of assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub and aplurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim comprising thesteps of connecting the spokes to the hub, spinning the hub and attachedspokes causing the spokes to extend centrifugally outwardly from the hubto locate the outwardly extending spokes in a predetermined pattern,simultaneously crossing a first group of spokes relative to a secondgroup of spokes, positioning the crossed spokes in predeterminedrelation with the rim, and simultaneously securing the outer endportions of the spokes to the rim.

22. In a method of assembling a wheel having an annular rim, a hub and aplurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, and including thesteps of attaching the spokes to the hub, orienting the spokes in apredetermined relation, and securing the spokes to the rim, theimprovement comprising the step of spinning the hub on its axis afterthe spokes are attached to the hub for centrifugally moving the spokesto outwardly extending positions in a substantial uniform angular spacedpattern to facilitate said orienting of the spokes before attachment tothe rim.

23. A method of assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub and aplurality of spokes for connectin g the hub to the rim, comprising thesteps of attaching the spokes to the hub, mounting the rim and hub on afixture, transferring the rim, hub and attached spokes with said fixtureto a spoke orienting head, engaging the hub and attached spokes withsaid orienting head, rotating said orienting head for spinning the huband attached spokes to extend the spokes centrifugally outwardly fromthe hub to locate the outwardly extending spokes in a predeterminedpattern, crossing a first group of spokes relative to a second group ofspokes, transferring the crossed spokes to said fixture, and positioningthe crossed spokes in generally outwardly converging relation to the rimon said fixture.

24. A method as defined in claim 22 including the steps of transferringthe rim, hub and oriented cross spokes with said fixture to a spokefastening device, and simultaneously securing the outer end portions ofthe oriented spokes to the rim with said fastening device.

1. Apparatus for assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub anda plurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatuscomprising means for spinning the hub on its axis after the inner endsof the spokes are attached to the hub causing the spokes to extendcentrifugally outwardly from the hub in a predetermined pattern duringrotation of the hub, and orienting means for receiving the spokes insaid pattern while the spokes are spinning with the hub and forarranging the spokes in a predetermined relationship with respect to thehub.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said orienting means iseffective to cross a fIrst group of spokes relative to a second group ofspokes, and means for aligning the crossed spokes with correspondingholes within the rim.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidspinning means and said orienting means comprise a rotatable headassembly, and means for rotating said head assembly.
 4. Apparatus asdefined in claim 3 wherein said head assembly includes a shaft memberhaving an axis coaxial with the rotational axis of said head assembly,said shaft member including means for holding said hub in axialalignment, means for effecting relative axial movement between saidshaft member and said orienting means while said head assembly isrotating to effect engagement of the spokes by said spoke orientingmeans.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said head assemblyincludes means for crossing a first group of spokes relative to a secondgroup of spokes, and motor means carried by said head assembly andconnected to actuate said spoke crossing means while said head assemblyis rotating.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a movabletransfer table, at least one fixture mounted on said table and includingmeans for retaining the rim, and means concentric with said rimretaining means for supporting the hub with the spokes attached to thehub.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means for moving saidhub supporting means between a lower retracted position and an upperextended position relative to said rim retaining means.
 8. Apparatus asdefined in claim 6 wherein said rim retaining means rigidly engages theinner surface of the rim, and means for ejecting the rim from said rimretaining means.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said fixtureincludes locating means for engaging a valve stem opening within therim, and said locating means being movable to a retracted position inresponse to actuation of said rim ejecting means.
 10. Apparatus asdefined in claim 6 wherein said fixture includes means for receiving thecrossed spokes, and means for transferring the crossed spokes from saidspoke orienting means to said spoke receiving means of said fixture. 11.Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for spinning the huband spokes, comprise rotatable head assembly including said spokeorienting means, means for rotating said head assembly, said means fortransferring the crossed spokes comprise a transfer member forming partof said head assembly, and means for moving said transfer member axiallyrelative to said orienting means.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1wherein said means for orienting the spokes comprise magnetic membersfor engaging the spokes, and means for shifting at least some of saidmagnetic members relative to other magnetic members to effect crossingof one group of spokes relative to another group of spokes. 13.Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including a series of fastenerdriving units arranged in angularly spaced relation around the rim,means for successively delivering a supply of threaded fasteners to eachsaid unit, and each said unit including means for extending and rotatingeach fastener through a corresponding hole within the rim.
 14. Apparatusfor assembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub and a pluralityof spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatus comprisingmeans for spinning the hub on its axis after the spokes are attached tothe hub causing the spokes to extend centrifugally outwardly from thehub in a predetermined pattern, means for retaining the spokes in saidpattern while they are spinning with the hub, means for shifting saidretaining means to effect crossing of a first group of spokes relativeto a second group of spokes, and means for aligning the crossed spokesin predetermined relation with the rim.
 15. Apparatus for assembling awheel including an annular rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes forconnecting the hub to the rim, said apparatus comprising a fixtureincluding means for supporting the rim and hub in concentric relationwith the spokes attached to the hub, means for spinning the hub and theattached spokes on the axis of the hub causing the spokes to extendcentrifugally outwardly from the hub in a predetermined pattern, meansfor crossing one group of spokes relative to another group of spokes,and means on said fixture for positioning the crossed spokes inpredetermined relation with the rim on said fixture.
 16. Apparatus asdefined in claim 15 wherein said hub spinning means and said spokecrossing means are located above said fixture, and means for moving saidfixture between a first position where said hub supporting means isaxially aligned with said hub spinning means and a second positionspaced from said first position.
 17. Apparatus for assembling a wheelincluding an annular rim, a hub having axially spaced radial flanges anda plurality of spokes for connecting the hub flanges to the rim, onegroup of spokes being attached to the hub and extending from the innersurfaces of the flanges and another group of spokes being attached tothe hub and extending from the outer surfaces of the flanges, saidapparatus comprising means for spinning the hub on its axis with thespokes attached to the hub flanges causing the spokes to extendcentrifugally outwardly from the hub flanges in a predetermined pattern,means for engaging the spokes in said pattern while they are spinningwith the hub, means for crossing of the one group of spokes relative tothe other group of spokes, and means for positioning the crossed spokesin generally outwardly converging relation towards the rim. 18.Apparatus as defined in claim 17 including a plurality of fastenerdriving units arranged in an annular pattern, means for positioning thefastener driving units in surrounding relation with the rim and withsaid units substantially aligned with corresponding spokes, and eachsaid unit having means for extending a threaded fastener through acorresponding hole within the rim and for threading the fastener ontothe corresponding spoke to a predetermined torque.
 19. Apparatus forassembling a wheel including an annular rim, a hub and a plurality ofspokes for connecting the hub to the rim, said apparatus comprisingmeans for spinning the hub on its axis with the spokes freely connectedto the hub at their inner ends causing the spokes to extendcentrifugally outwardly from the hub in a predetermined pattern duringrotation, and orienting means for operative association with each suchspoke while in said predetermined pattern and while the spokes arespinning with the hub.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein saidorienting means is operative to shift the spokes associated therewithfrom said predetermined pattern into a second desired relationshipplacing the outer ends of said spokes in positions determined by thecharacteristics of said rim, and means for connecting said outer spokeends to said rim to complete the assembly.
 21. A method of assembling awheel including an annular rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes forconnecting the hub to the rim comprising the steps of connecting thespokes to the hub, spinning the hub and attached spokes causing thespokes to extend centrifugally outwardly from the hub to locate theoutwardly extending spokes in a predetermined pattern, simultaneouslycrossing a first group of spokes relative to a second group of spokes,positioning the crossed spokes in predetermined relation with the rim,and simultaneously securing the outer end portions of the spokes to therim.
 22. In a method of assembling a wheel having an annular rim, a huband a plurality of spokes for connecting the hub to the rim, andincluding the steps of attaching the spokes to the hub, orienting thespokes in a predetermined relation, and securing the spokes to the rim,the improvement comprising the step of spinning the hub on its axisafter the spokes are attached to the hub for centrifugally moving thespokes to outwardly extending positions In a substantial uniform angularspaced pattern to facilitate said orienting of the spokes beforeattachment to the rim.
 23. A method of assembling a wheel including anannular rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes for connecting the hub tothe rim, comprising the steps of attaching the spokes to the hub,mounting the rim and hub on a fixture, transferring the rim, hub andattached spokes with said fixture to a spoke orienting head, engagingthe hub and attached spokes with said orienting head, rotating saidorienting head for spinning the hub and attached spokes to extend thespokes centrifugally outwardly from the hub to locate the outwardlyextending spokes in a predetermined pattern, crossing a first group ofspokes relative to a second group of spokes, transferring the crossedspokes to said fixture, and positioning the crossed spokes in generallyoutwardly converging relation to the rim on said fixture.
 24. A methodas defined in claim 22 including the steps of transferring the rim, huband oriented cross spokes with said fixture to a spoke fastening device,and simultaneously securing the outer end portions of the orientedspokes to the rim with said fastening device.